Pork Collar Butt Power: The Swiss Army Knife of the Kitchen

In the hands of a savvy chef, the pork collar butt is a utility player that can do just about anything. Whether you're slow-roasting, smoking, braising, slicing or curing—it delivers on flavour, yield and presentation every time.

Often overlooked in favour of pork loin or belly, the collar butt (cut from the upper shoulder near the neck) is gaining new ground in kitchens across Australia. With the rise of pulled pork, nose-to-tail cooking and custom charcuterie, this cut is having its moment—and it’s well deserved.

Why It Works So Well

The collar butt combines marbling, tenderness and structure in all the right ways. It has more fat than traditional pork shoulder, which translates into flavour and moisture, yet it’s still structured enough to slice cleanly when roasted or smoked.

This means chefs can use it across multiple applications—from slow-cooked comfort food to elegant plated mains. It's adaptable, affordable and always performs.

Popular Applications for Pork Collar Butt

• Pulled Pork: The collar butt breaks down beautifully in the smoker or slow cooker, holding juiciness and delivering rich pork flavour.

• Charcuterie & Capocollo: Perfect for dry-curing or brining—thanks to its marbling and size, it makes an ideal muscle for house-made deli meats.

• Roasts or Porchetta-Style: Roll, stuff and roast the collar for a hero dish that plates beautifully and portions easily.

• Sliced for Noodle Bowls or Salads: Marinate, sear, then thin-slice for modern Asian-style menus.

  
  

Yield-Driven and Chef-Approved

One of the biggest advantages of pork collar butt is yield. You can portion it across a number of different dishes or stretch it across multiple servings in bulk applications. From roasts to ramen, it’s the sort of cut that rewards creativity.

Add in its reasonable cost per kilo and you're looking at one of the most margin-friendly pork cuts on the market.

If you’re a chef who values versatility, economy and standout flavour, the pork collar butt deserves a permanent place on your order list. With our pork range you get the confidence of consistency—whether you’re running an all-day menu, preparing for functions or serving à la carte plates.

Contact us for our pork cut range and how we can help your kitchen stand out.